The fire service has warned the public to be vigilant and help tackle the rise in deliberate wildfires in the north-east.
A recent spate of grass and wild land fires in Aberdeenshire has spurred the fire service to issue the warning before the Easter Holidays, a period where there is a general rise in such incidents.
The blazes can be an immediate danger to life, affecting properties and local businesses, and have a major detrimental impact to the local environment.
The fire service has been working with the police and environmental agencies to protect the public at a number of wildfires, while also trying to prevent the setting of fires in the first place.
They highlighted the need for the public to report fire offending behaviour as a primary means of keeping communities safe.
Gordon Riddel, manager of prevention and protection for Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray said: “We want the public to enjoy the Easter break – but to do so safely. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is appealing in particular to young people during school holidays to consider the consequences of deliberately setting a fire.
“We would urge parents to ensure that their children know about and understand the potentially tragic consequences deliberate fires can have, as well as the impact for responding emergency services. Fire setting is an offence – don’t accept it, report it.”
“We will continue to work with our Police Scotland colleagues to ensure each incident is fully investigated, as much intelligence is gathered – and that perpetrators are ultimately caught.”
